Geary

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Origins of surname

Although a tree which has been sent to us, supported by some online trees, suggests that the Guerrier family who lived in Grouville in the 1840s and '50s changed its name to Geary, we can find no evidence for this. The family came from France via Alderney and we are not aware of any confirmed instances of an immigrant surname being anglicised in Jersey in the 19th century.

However, we have included the tree with this warning about its possible inaccuracy.

Guerrier, from the French guerre = war, referred to a soldier. Geary, an English name, is said to have a variety of possible derivations, one of which is a soldier who carried a spear - old-German geri.

Early records

There are Guerrier births registered in Grouville and neighbouring St Martin in the 1840s and Geary baptisms in St Helier from 1820 onwards.